out of the ground;" "I form the light and create darkness; I make peace and create evil; I the Lord do all these things:" and that whether we have been compelled to encamp near the waters of Marah, or have sojourned by the streams of Elim, where the Israelites found refreshing and salubrious fountains, and palmtrees, affording a pleasant shadow and delightful fruit; whether the days of the years of our life have been many and blessed, or, like those of the patriarch, few and evil, we have had a God to serve, a Saviour to glorify, a soul to save, a paradise to gain; and it becomes us to reflect whether afflictive dispensations have been productive of spiritual benefit; whether tribulation hath wrought "patience, and patience experience, and experience hope;" whether we bear in mind that such dispensations are designed to produce the same beneficial result, as induced the Lord God to lead his people forty years in the wilderness; namely, to humble them, and to prove them-to know what was in their heart, whether they would keep his commandments or no; or whether, of us it may with justice be affirmed, Thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; thou hast consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction; they have made their faces harder than a rock." "They who know no sorrows, too often

know no God." The evils of unbounded prosperity were strikingly illustrated in the case of Moab. "Moab," saith the prophet, “hath been at ease from his youth, and he hath settled on his lees, and hath gone into captivity; therefore his taste remained in him, and his scent is not changed." It was when made to ride on the high places of the earth, that Jeshurun "waxed fat and kicked," then forsook he "God which made him, and lightly esteemed the rock of his salvation." Uzziah "was marvellously helped till he was strong; but when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction." The prodigal thought not of the love of his father and the home of his youth, until he would gladly have eaten of the husks which the swine did eat: it was the pinching of hunger which dissipated the illusion so long cast around him; which awoke him from the feverish slumber in which he had been long entranced; which opened his eyes fully to a sense of his helplessness, and brought him to himself,

The believer is brought into afflictive circumstances not merely for his own benefit, but for that of others. He experiences the truth of the wise man's assertion, "It is better to go to the house of mourning than to the house of feasting, for that is the end of all men, and the living will lay it to heart." How frequently is this the case,

especially with those who minister in holy things! The most eminent servants of the Lord Jesus have usually been taught in the school of adversity; and like the apostles, can exclaim, "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort, who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God."

A theoretical acquaintance with affliction will not suffice to render the Christian minister a sympathising comforter in the time of need. He who went down to soothe the bereaved sisters of Bethany was practically acquainted with human suffering, and was himself about to drink of the dregs of the bitterest cup that was ever mingled. But whatever be the source of our afflictions, or for whatever purpose they are designed, that Being with whom alone is the fountain of unceasing joy, if we seek him, will refresh us by the streams of his heavenly grace, as in the valley of Baca, the rain also filled the pools; he will enable us to go from strength to strength, until we appear before him the God of gods in Zion. That Jesus who died upon the cross for man's redemption, to whom all power has been given in heaven and earth, invites us to look to him for the supply of every spiritual and

eternal want. your minds.

Be not then wearied and faint in "Trust in the Lord Jehovah, for

with the Lord Jehovah there is everlasting strength" his arm is not shortened that it cannot save; his ear is not heavy that it cannot hear; his hand is upon all them for good that seek him. No dispensation, however grievous, can be overwhelming, which does not separate us from his love; it is the light affliction which is but for a moment, and designed in the mercy of God, to work out "for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory."

SERMON XII.

THE BLESSEDNESS OF TRUST IN GOD.

ISAIAH Xxvi. 3.

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee."

It is one of the most important privileges enjoyed by the true believer, that he is in a great measure released from those anxieties which tend to harass and distract the mind, and is thus enabled to realize the truth of the apostle's assertion, that godliness with contentment being great gain, is profitable for all things, having the promise of the life that now is, no less than of that which is to come. Wholly ignorant, indeed, are they, not only of the design, but of the benefits of Christ's religion, who conceive that in embracing its blessed doctrines, and living under habitual obedience to its precepts, there is